ACIP Recommends Meningococcal Booster for Teens

by John Gever John Gever,Senior Editor, MedPage Today
October 27, 2010

In a 6-5 vote, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that a booster dose of meningococcal vaccine be given at age 16 to address declining immunity in adolescents.

Currently, the vaccine is given at age 10 or 11.

It was initially thought that immunity would remain adequate for at least 10 years, but evidence that immunity actually wanes more quickly prompted consideration of a booster.

Meningococcal infections are mainly a concern for adolescents living in close quarters, such as college students and military recruits.

Some of the panel members opposing the recommendation would have preferred simply delaying the initial dose until age 14 or 15, in part because of the cost. A single dose retails for about $100, according to Drugstore.com.

Another wrinkle: the safety and effectiveness of the second dose hasn't been firmly established in clinical trials, an FDA official told the panel. The vaccine's current approval is only for one dose.

Hence, the booster would be an off-label use.

CDC staff also mentioned the possibility that many 16-year-olds would fail to receive the booster.

But members voting for the booster dose indicated that it would be easier to implement and explain to clinicians and patients than changing the recommended age for the primary immunization.

In a statement, the National Meningitis Association applauded the vote. "This is a good public health decision that will protect our children from meningococcal disease," the association said.

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